Depression is Setting in...

[fromcali2va]

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Not really depressed, but I am getting pretty nervous. As you can see from my mdapp my GPA is pretty low, but EVERYONE I have spoken to told me I should go for it. I submitted my application in May, filled out all the secondary applications the day they arrived (REALLY early) and haven't heard a PEEP from anyone (except Roger from TOURO-NV called to tell me I missed the GPA cutoff by .01😡)... So my question is.. WHAT NOW? I've called many of the schools already and they said they are still making their decision. Any suggestions?

 

[DrMidlife]

First question: how sure are you that your letter writers sent good letters?

Second question: how much review and editing and proofreading did your PS get?

Problems in these areas can really mess things up.

My suggestion would be to get one or more of your recommenders to call school admissions departments on your behalf, preferably with understated outrage that you haven't been offered an interview yet.

Hang in there.

 

[Dissected]

I hate to say it....but looks like you have to just wait! you should hear something, im rooting for you 👍

 

[saylorsdad]

It really is a waiting game at this point. Movement off of the waitlist opens new slots, and more interviews will be offered after the initial shuffeling takes place. As per improving your app you should contact a med school of your liking and speak with admissions counselor as to what you can do to improve your app.

 

[213965]

I haven't heard anything from DO schools either, but then again, I applied late.

This waiting sure does suck 🙁

 

[PullMyFinger]

Your GPA may not be great supposedly, but if it makes you feel any better...I think you have a GREAT shot still.

Why? Because your application is so different.

You're a scholar athlete who plays ball, your MCAT score is great, first in your family to attend college, etc.

I'm pretty sure you'll get something soon, hang in there!

 

[lainey234]

Don't give up just yet, there is still plenty of time. I'm kind of surprised that you haven't heard anything yet as well. Did you just take the MCAT this summer? Did schools have to wait for your scores? Either way, you pretty much just have to give it some time. Best of luck!

 

[psy]

GPA isn't everything. I'm sure you'll have a better chance at DO schools since they look more at your extracurricular activities and over all achievements. This is also why you see more non-traditional applicants for DO schools. With your current stats I think you can get in unless, like DrMidlife said, your personal statement and/or your letter of recommendations were bad. If you do get an interview, don't mention your gpa unless they ask you specifically about it.

 

[MossPoh]

I'm going to try and go with the possibility that, for whatever reason, you don't get in somewhere. You nave to start thinking of next year with an application cycle. Your extracurriculars are good, but so are everyone else's. I'd look into some postbacc programs to strenghten your application. While gpa may not be everything, a 2.75 science is killing you in a world where 3.0 is the standard cutoff. Since your major appears to be psych, I'm going to assume that you don't have many science classes relative to a bio major or something. Take a semester or two with nearly every science class you can handle...and do well in them. If you can pull out a 3.8+ over the next year then you can show that you can handle the coursework.

You don't have to do a formal postbacc, you can also check out an informal one..which is essentially what I'm doing. There is no use in getting down, but start developing a gameplan to strengthen the weakest part of your application for next year. The worst that happens is you waste some time and cash strengthening your application and then get accepted. That is a pretty good problem to have.

 

[Limvostov]

I had to do some post-bac work as well last year and the year before to repair what I had damaged as an engineering student. With nearly all science courses it took 35 solid credits to raist my 2.96 to a 3.11 overall science gpa, and that was with retaking o-chem and having those grades cancled out all together. Hang in there, I know it's tough but it can be done if you're willing to give it some effort.

Just my two cents, but retaking all your C's (or worse) in science will really boost your AACOMAS science GPA.

 

[fromcali2va]

Don't give up just yet, there is still plenty of time. I'm kind of surprised that you haven't heard anything yet as well. Did you just take the MCAT this summer? Did schools have to wait for your scores? Either way, you pretty much just have to give it some time. Best of luck!

Thanks everyone for the comforting words! I took the MCAT in May.

 

[fromcali2va]

I'm going to try and go with the possibility that, for whatever reason, you don't get in somewhere. You nave to start thinking of next year with an application cycle. Your extracurriculars are good, but so are everyone else's. I'd look into some postbacc programs to strenghten your application. While gpa may not be everything, a 2.75 science is killing you in a world where 3.0 is the standard cutoff. Since your major appears to be psych, I'm going to assume that you don't have many science classes relative to a bio major or something. Take a semester or two with nearly every science class you can handle...and do well in them. If you can pull out a 3.8+ over the next year then you can show that you can handle the coursework.

You don't have to do a formal postbacc, you can also check out an informal one..which is essentially what I'm doing. There is no use in getting down, but start developing a gameplan to strengthen the weakest part of your application for next year. The worst that happens is you waste some time and cash strengthening your application and then get accepted. That is a pretty good problem to have.

I understand what you are saying. I'll be going to UNLV in January. So should I retake the science courses I got low grades in or take upper level courses? I was thinking maybe a bio class and a chem class? The reason my science GPA is so low is that I took my advisor's advice (although he was the advisor for the Drama majors😕) and took Anatomy and Physiology, Physics and O.Chem all at the same time. I got a C in both lab and lecture of A&P for both semesters. Should I retake Anatomy to replace the C's or move on to a different class? I definitely like your advice. In a way I feel like my brain is shriveling while I wait on this process, so maybe I need to wake it up and get it working again

 

[MossPoh]

The great thing about osteopathic schools is grade replacement. Most schools won't see a heavy course load as a legit reason to do mediocre. It only gets harder. But yes, I'd comb through all of your science classes and retake the lowest grades. Just imagine the difference if a couple of Cs were replaced with A's...You'd be a shoe-in. Now, throw in an extra A from another science class or two and you'll be super golden. It doesn't always have to be a really hard science class. I took an astronomy class for fun and that counted towards my science gpa too. It really sounds like you don't have many science classes under your belt, so it should be pretty easy to raise your science gpa to a 3.0 or greater.

 

[aliDO]

I understand what you are saying. I'll be going to UNLV in January. So should I retake the science courses I got low grades in or take upper level courses? I was thinking maybe a bio class and a chem class? The reason my science GPA is so low is that I took my advisor's advice (although he was the advisor for the Drama majors😕) and took Anatomy and Physiology, Physics and O.Chem all at the same time. I got a C in both lab and lecture of A&P for both semesters. Should I retake Anatomy to replace the C's or move on to a different class? I definitely like your advice. In a way I feel like my brain is shriveling while I wait on this process, so maybe I need to wake it up and get it working again

I'd retake. Retaking will boost your gpa much faster! I graduated with a 2.5 and retook many classes and now have a 3.16. Nobody has said anything about my gpa so far. As long as you are above the 3.0 mark I don't even think they look to closely at the classes you take.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I understand what you are saying. I'll be going to UNLV in January. So should I retake the science courses I got low grades in or take upper level courses? I was thinking maybe a bio class and a chem class? The reason my science GPA is so low is that I took my advisor's advice (although he was the advisor for the Drama majors😕) and took Anatomy and Physiology, Physics and O.Chem all at the same time. I got a C in both lab and lecture of A&P for both semesters. Should I retake Anatomy to replace the C's or move on to a different class? I definitely like your advice. In a way I feel like my brain is shriveling while I wait on this process, so maybe I need to wake it up and get it working again

WHAT UNLV>>>>UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS??? ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol What are you taking??? And if you are taking Ochem STAY AWAY FROM BHOWMIK...or get a really good tutor. Use ratemyprofessor.com it is very helpful.

 

[anon y mous]

I hate to say hang in there because I know how tough it is. I heard nothing and then got 7 invites in a week. Good luck!

 

[fromcali2va]

WHAT UNLV>>>>UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS??? ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol What are you taking??? And if you are taking Ochem STAY AWAY FROM BHOWMIK...or get a really good tutor. Use ratemyprofessor.com it is very helpful.

I was actually registering for OCHEM I with him! Is he really that bad? I'm also taking Anatomy and Physiology Lecture and lab. What are you taking?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I was actually registering for OCHEM I with him! Is he really that bad? I'm also taking Anatomy and Physiology Lecture and lab. What are you taking?

For me he was HORRIBLE!! But some people liked him (although I don't know why). I'm not sure if he is the only one teaching next semester or not, but if he is I would go to the class and get a feel for him yourself. If you are not feeling him in the least then drop him like a bad habit.😀 I am taking Biol 351 - Micro..Biol 348- Human Anatomy..and Biol 300 - Genetics...and retaking chem I...I know I need help for taking all of these classes LOL🙄🙄